top of page
-
Do you offer service pet sitting over the holidays?Yes, we offer service on all holidays. Please note, major holidays such as the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas book quickly. It is best to schedule your holiday visits in advance.
-
Do you have an app?Yes! We use an online management system called Time To Pet for all of our scheduling needs. Once you sign up for our service, you will receive a unique login and password. There you will have the option of altering your pet’s routine, request schedule changes, view payment history, update credit cards, and more! You can download the app or use the website, its all up to you!
-
Will I be able to meet my sitter before we leave town?Yes, we always set up a meet & greet so you can make sure everything is a good fit. We want you to feel comfortable with our service and we want you to know that your pets are in good hands.
-
How much notice do you need to book services?As our schedule fills on a first-come-first-serve basis, we recommend you book with us as soon as you know you have a need for pet care. We will do our best to accommodate you. Please note that booking less than 48 hours in advance may result in an additional fee.
-
Can I tip my walker?Of course! We encourage you to show your appreciation of your walker’s dedication and good service. If you do choose to tip, please tip your walker in cash or separate check.
-
How is payment handled?We accept card payments through our app, or cash , check or Venmo ( CorinneBard-24) I typically give clients about a week after they return to settle up their invoice.
-
Should we give you parking passes to make your visits easier?If you can, yes! Please provide us with zone passes if you reside on a street that is parking permit required. We really appreciate this.
-
What is your cancellation policy?Please message us as soon as you know. Cancellations must be received within 8 hours of scheduled visit or a cancellation fee of $10 will apply.
-
How are my keys handled?We have two options. We can give you a lockbox that you can hide and program ($5 per week to rent). This way your keys will always stay at your house. Or, we can keep keys on file.
-
What if my trip runs long or my flight is delayed?We always keep a few open slots in our schedule in the situation that your trip runs long or you would just like to add an extra day to your vacation. Please keep in contact with us and we will make sure your pets are covered. There are no last-minute booking fees if you extend your trip.
-
Will my walker arrive at the exact time we request?Your walker will arrive during a two-hour time window. So if you schedule a visit for 1PM, the two-hour window is between 12PM to 2PM. We cannot, unfortunately, guarantee a specific time within that time window due to the potential for unexpected delays that walkers may encounter throughout their day.
-
What happens in the case of inclement weather?The team at PurrEssence does our very best to ensure pet care is provided in all weather but our staff’s safety is very important to us. For this reason, we require all clients to keep an emergency contact on file. Historically we have had no problems completing visits even in the worst of snow storms by shortening or readjusting visits as needed!
-
Is the meet n’ greet free?Yes the first meet and greet is free. Any additional meet and greets will be charged $15 or more depending on length of time.
-
Do you have a backup sitters?Yes, we have one IC who is full time. In the event that I am unable to make it to a visit, she is more then happy to help.
-
Are you insured?Yes, we have specialized insurance – specific to pet sitting & dog walking.
-
What are your hours of operation?We offer pet sitting visits starting at 7:00am and as late as 9:30pm, every day of the week. While your pets are in our care, you have unlimited, 24/7, phone support.
-
Do you offer phone or text customer support while I'm away?Yes, call or text anytime. We offer as much phone support as you like while your pets are in our care.
-
How much experience do you have?Between having an animal rescue in my home growing up and working as a veterinary technician, I've come in contact with over 150,000 different pets. I have taken courses in animal body language and Fear Free training. With just one look I know what they are feeling.
-
What length of visits should I book?Every pet is different. When we first go in we take care of food/water and let them outside, once we are done with that the remaining time we use to have play or cuddle sessions. We could always adjust the timing if pets are being shy or if they want more attention .
-
Do you walk more than one dog at a time?Not unless there is more then one dog in the home. We give individual attention to the pets we are walking.
-
Do you board pets?At this time there is no boarding available in my personal home.
-
Do you have references?Yes we have great references! You could also find great reviews on Google.
-
When will I get updates from my sitter?Your sitter will send a message from every visit. Your message will include a bit about what we did at the visit, as well as pictures from that visit. We generally send 2-6 pictures per visit. We will give you a call if we have any questions.
-
Will you clean up after my cat?Of course! Any messes that are made will be cleaned up.
-
What do you do if it's raining?We will be there rain or shine. If the weather is really bad we will take them out to go potty and as soon as they are done we will dry them off and have a play session / cuddle inside.
-
Do you work with retractable leashes?We try not to use them because sometimes things malfunction.
-
Will you put on my dog’s winter and rain gear?Of course! We will put on any gear your doggies need, no problem!
-
What happens if I did not leave enough food for my pet(s)?We will notify you that there is not enough food so that you are aware and perhaps you have more food in another place in your home. If we do need to make a special trip to purchase food we will be glad to do so. There will be a $25 trip charge plus the cost of the food. Your credit card will be charged. If an extra trip to your home is needed for an extra visit to feed your pets, that will be charged as well.
-
Can you give my cat insulin?Yes, I certainly can. Please let us know the time window we must meet for your cat’s shot.
-
What if my dog doesn’t like a leash?As it is city ordinance to have all dogs on leashes when in a public area and for the safety of your pet, PurrEssence will always have your pet leashed. This strict rule includes parks that do not have fences and are not pet-friendly. Safety is our number one priority!
-
Do you walk aggressive pets?For aggressive pets, our manager will interview you and your pet in person to determine if there is a good fit between your pet and our services. There is no charge for this visit. If additional visits are needed to socialize your pet with our walker, then you will need to be present at all visits and pay the normal dog walking service fee until socialized. If at any time our walker or our management feel that it is unsafe to perform a service, we will reserve the right to discontinue service without notice.
-
What training methods do you use?PurrEssence believes in positive reinforcement for pets. Our primary goal is to ensure that your pet is safe and happy. If there is a disciplinary problem, your sitter will notify you.
-
Can you give my dog medications?Yes we can. We regularly administer do topical and oral medication, pills, and more .
-
Will my pet receive individualized attention?Of course! We guarantee that your pet(s) will receive the best quality individualized attention for the full walking session. Typically, for a 15 minute visit, this translates into a good 10 minute walk, and we use the remaining five for cleaning the dogs after the walk, type up a detailed note to our client after each walk, and refilling water bowls, giving treats, etc. However, we do understand that the needs of every pet is different so we adjust accordingly.
-
Do you pick up my dog’s waste when you are walking?Yes, we do. We do ask that you provide the bags.
-
What do you do on a visit?Our pet sitting visits include: Feeding per your instructions, fresh water, dogs walked, love and play time, brushing, litter box cleaned, bird cage cleaned, medication given if needed, mail and newspaper brought in, plants watered, lights on and off. Lots of TLC.
-
Will you dry off my dog(s) after a rainy walk?Of course, a wet dog is a smelly dog, we will do our best to dry your pet off. Please leave a towel out for us on rainy days!
-
Can you take out the gargabe bins on trash day?Absolutely! We try to make your home look like its lived in , any bins by the road for a few days could flag your home that no one is there.
-
I live in a secure building, how is that handled?If you are able to give us a key fab for entry that would be great, it will be returned once you get back home.
-
Can you bring in packages, mail, and the newspaper?Yes, we bring in all packages, mail, and newspapers. If you have a food delivery, let us know and we will put it in your refrigerator.
-
Friends, neighbors, cleaners, etc. will be at my house while I’m away. Should I let you know?Please let us know if someone will be in your home during our scheduled visits. It makes our heart skip a beat if we meet a stranger in your home! We don’t mind if someone will be at your home outside of our scheduled visits. However, it does make sitters nervous to find items moved around in your house, therefore we will contact you if we don’t know the cause.
-
Can you water the garden or indoor plants?Yes, we provide both house plant and garden watering. If your garden is large, please book an appropriate length visit on the days we will be watering so you sitter has adequate time to do a good job.
-
Do you make an effort to be clean?At PurrEssence we make every effort to follow our policy of “leave no trace” when we enter and exit your home. On wet days, please leave a designated towel that we can use to wipe down your pup. We will always try our best to keep your pups clean, but sometimes our city can be a messy place and at times a little dirt is inevitable.
bottom of page